About SSBTR
How SSBTR happened.
A teacher, a promise, and twenty-five years of students keeping it.
SSBTR started in 2001, when Pinnacle High School student government advisor Steve Glassman founded a local event to honor Seth, a Boston teen and family friend who succumbed to a brain tumor.
That same year, three high school students in the Valley were diagnosed with brain tumors and ultimately lost their battles. One of those heroic young people was Lauren Kaye. Before passing in 2002, Lauren asked her parents, Wendy and Marty, to devote themselves to helping other people affected by brain tumors.
Out of their collaboration, Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research was born.
Today that collaboration is Arizona's largest student-run nonprofit: 50+ schools, 3,000+ walkers at the annual Cure-a-Thon, and $5M+ raised for research.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The laps so far
From 250 walkers to five million dollars.
2001
Steve Glassman founds a local event at Pinnacle High School in honor of Seth. The same year, Lauren Kaye and two other Valley students are diagnosed with brain tumors.
2002
The first walk-a-thon: 4 schools, 250 walkers, $7,500 raised. Lauren's parents, Wendy and Marty, take up her request to help other families facing brain tumors.
2016
The Cure-a-Thon at Saguaro High School draws over 3,000 students, and SSBTR is established as the largest student-run fundraising organization of its kind.
Today
Students at 50+ schools raise over $250,000 every year, pushing cumulative donations past $5 million for five research institutions.
Mission
What we're here to do
SSBTR exists to give young people education and leadership experience, a platform to make real change in their communities, and a way to support the individuals and families affected by brain tumors. The centerpiece is the annual Cure-a-Thon, where students raise money that goes directly to research.
Learn
Members observe live brain surgery, tour research labs at Barrow and TGen, and hear from working scientists.
Lead
Students negotiate with sponsors, give media interviews, and run their school chapters themselves.
Give
93% of every dollar raised goes straight to five research institutions.
Here's the problem
Why brain tumor research, specifically
#1
Brain and other nervous-system cancers are the leading cause of cancer death in children and people ages 15–24.
108,810
An estimated 108,810 people in the U.S. will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis in 2026.
1.3M+
More than 1.3 million Americans are living with a primary brain tumor.
34.8%
Five-year relative survival for people diagnosed with a malignant primary brain tumor.
Leadership
Board of Directors
An adult board guides the organization. Day to day, SSBTR is run by student Co-Chairs across Arizona, listed on the chapters page.
Dr. Wendy Kaye
Board President · Co-Founder
Dr. Marty Kaye
Board Member · Co-Founder
Steve Glassman
Co-Founder · Board Member
Dr. Adrienne Scheck
Board Member
Jesse Higgins
Board Member · Past Co-Chair
Mikaela Gibson Volker
Board Member · Past Co-Chair
Elizabeth Pool Carter
Board Member · Past Co-Chair